Pinking when hot?

[MK4_20VT]

Now it's getting warmer (not much) if im stuck in traffic, say 10mins if I pull away I get pinking from the engine, as if the timing was out (like valve wear)

But when it's cold, warm but not in traffic or rain it pull like a beast & no pinking, even if I pull away hard at 30mph in 5th!!

This will happen on Optimax

What to check guys??

[Gambit]

get the timing set correctly

[MK4_20VT]

I did think about the timing, but wouldn't it pink all the time & not when hot if the timing was out.

I intend to get the timing gun out again this sat.

Just a thought, could the dizzy itself be worn??? as the Rotor arm & cap are spot on or is t rare for the dizzy to go

[Organisys]

Ignition timing needs advancing a little?

[Judderi]

What exactly is pinking or more to the point how can you tell if its happening. I know its premature combustion but what happens when the engine is pinking?

[mix]

Ben, i think it's carbon deposits in the cylinder that get hot and cause the petrol vapors to ignite before they are meant to.......... i think, but i don't know hpw to tell when it's happening, maybe loss in power, less response

[MK4_20VT]

Sorry, pinking is valve rattle e.g doing 30mph put it in 5th & pull away, if your timing is out it will rattle the valves & do some damage   

But when sitting in a traffic jam for 20mins pulling away in 1st (not hard) it rattles.

MFA says oil temp is 89
Temp gauge just sits above half way, then the fan kicks in  (Both reading when in the Jam)

Normal oil temp is 82-84 urban driving & the temp gauge sits easy below half

I have just got rid of my synth oil & put in 15-40 GTX & it seems to be running better

How do I check/Remove Carbon mix?   The could be my main prob 

[Veedubgt18v]

pinking is definately caused by hot carbon deposits causing preignition, if you got hydraulic tappets then they need replacing cos there is obviously wear, if they are bucket tappets then they can be adjusted. get rid of excess carbon byt gettin an engine additive and going for a hard fast drive to get the engine hot